The computer and the canoe: web-based communities across the Pacific Islands

Abstract

Issues relevant to web-based communities in the Pacific Islands are described. A brief geographic and demographic overview is provided, and unique cultural, social and educational challenges are discussed, with particular attention to Hawaii, American Samoa, and Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia as illustrative cases. The computer and allied web-based technologies are viewed as serving some of the same contemporary functions for voyagers as did the canoe, in the historical voyaging tradition. Projects that aim to address some of the educational and social needs of Pacific Islanders as voyagers at the University of Hawaii and as leaders in their home communities are presented.

Learning density in Vanuatu high school with computer simulation: Influence of different levels of guidance

“…On the other hand it is a challenge for developing and least developed countries like Vanuatu where the majority of students have less exposure, knowledge and skills in the use of computers (Iding & Singh, 2013;Iding, Skouge, & Peter, 2008): therefore having a low computer-self-concept will directly influence their motivation and performance.…”

Establishing social network communities between students based on their Internet usage patterns

“…Web based communities across the pacific Islands is studied in [25]. In this paper, different factors such as cultural, social and educational challenges are discussed and aimed on addressing some of educational and social needs of Pacific Islanders.…”

Supporting Pacific Islander student success in higher education through culturally sustaining leadership

“…"Learning is the work," is when educational institutions encourage their staff to experience personal and professional growth through continuous teaching and learning. (Iding, Skouge, & Peter, 2008;Ames, 2013).…”

“…He brought the teachings of navigation back to other cultures, even at the risk of being rejected by his own community for sharing sacred knowledge with outsiders, to ensure that this practice was not lost. Sharing the Oceania way of life was more important to him and as a result, this traditional practice of navigation has been reintroduced to multiple Pacific Islander communities (Iding, Skouge, & Peter, 2008;Ames, 2013). Lani said it best when she said that Pacific Islanders need to work together, after all, "We are all on the same canoe."…”